Hockey WC: India beat Canada 5-1 to enter QF

BHUBANESWAR: There’s something about this Indian workforce. Each time they’re pushed right into a nook, they handle to search out their means out. It occurred towards Belgium and it occurred once more towards Canada right here on the Kalinga Stadium on Saturday.

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Nearly flat for the primary 45 minutes of play, India awoke with a roar to attain 4 objectives within the fourth quarter and make a slam-bang entry into the quarterfinals of the World Cup by hammering Canada 5-1.

Solely a fly on the Indian wall can inform what coach Harendra Singh stated on the finish of third quarter that despatched India’s efficiency graph crashing by means of the roof, led by Man-of-the-Match Lalit Upadhyay, who scored a brace.

After Belgium confirmed South Africa’s return ticket with a 5-1 thrashing, India wanted a win over Canada to high the pool, no matter the margin of victory.

It was 1-1 when the hooter signalled the top of third quarter. A unique India returned to the pitch from their huddle, and Canada have been left shell-shocked.

After Harmanpreet Singh’s opener within the 12th minute, Chinglensana Singh obtained India forward within the 46th, Lalit made it Three-1 within the subsequent minute, native boy Amit Rohidas scored off India’s fourth penalty nook within the 51st and Lalit got here again to place the ultimate nail within the coffin to make it 5-1.

For Canada, Floris van Son scored the equaliser within the 39th minute to hush the house crowd.

However it should be stated that massive groups that India meet subsequent will make them pay if that’s the case many chances are high spilled.

Mandeep Singh, Dilpreet Singh and Akashdeep Singh — the core of India’s frontline — could not have requested for extra. Credit score to them for creating scoring alternatives; however in case you miss, it is simply counted as circle entries.

A workforce could make as many circle penetrations however except a few of these flip into objectives that win you the sport, it takes you again on the home-work desk.

A less-than-100-percent Manpreet Singh did alter a few of India’s plans. The coach needed to pull Lalit again into the midfield as soon as Manpreet was off the pitch.

However credit score to Lalit for rising to the event. Additionally, Chinglensana Singh had maybe his finest outing within the match to this point, by not simply scoring however creating performs that took India to the Canadian goal-mouth on a variety of events.

Two penalty-corner conversions from the six India created is at a mean stage. However improved defensive mechanisms of groups has made it tough to search out the mark. India will certainly hold a few variations up their sleeve for the knockouts. However they must enhance the conversion fee in crunch video games.

The hosts will play the third quarterfinal on December 13 and are more likely to face Netherlands or Germany.